Toe binding



HVAM v TOE BINDING 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 7, l963 mv mm mm vm 5 mm H E RM R M OA OK T LR W 9 NR N A R M OT L H3 A K w 0% W R m W K ATTORNEYS l Sept. 21, 1965 H. HVAM 3,207,525

TOE BINDING Filed Oct. 7, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR HJALMAR HVAM BY BUCKHORN, BLORE, KLARQUIST a SPARKMAN ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,207,525 TOE BINDING Hjalmar Hvam, Rte. 1, Box 404, Beaverton, Oreg. Filed Oct. 7, 1963, Ser. No. 314,105 19 Claims. (Cl. 28011.35)

This invention relates to ski binding structures, and more particularly to toe ski bindings.

An object of the invention is to provide new and improved ski binding structures.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved toe ski bindings.

A further object of the invention is to provide a toe ski binding having detent means variable in accordance with the force of a heel holding binding.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a safety ski binding having a minimum number of parts.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a safety toe binding for a ski in which the holding power of the binding is dependent on the tension of a heel binding cable.

The invention provides ski binding structures including a heel binding engaging the heel of a ski boot and pressing the ski boot forwardly, together with a releasable, safety toe binding against which the ski boot is urged by the heel binding, and which is provided with detent means variable in holding force in accordance with the forward pressing force of the heel binding. The toe binding includes a base fixed to the ski and an arm provided with a jaw portion at one end thereof having a lip adapted to engage the top of the toe end of the sole of a ski boot and a pair of parallel, vertical ridges positioned below the lip for engaging the toe end of the sole at spaced points thereon. The arm is pivotally mounted on the base for free horizontal pivotal movement relative to the base and is pivotal vertically relative to the base through a limited range. The arm and the base are provided with camming detent portions adapted to interlock when the arm is at an extreme vertical position relative to the base and extends directly rearwardly along the ski. The detent portions cam the arm away from the extreme vertical position thereof to eifect release for horizontal pivotal movement of the arm. By adjusting the heel binding, the ski boot is pressed forwardly against the toe binding with adjusted force so that the detent action is adjusted.

In a toe binding forming one specific embodiment of the invention, there is provided a base having a bore therethrough and an arm which has a tapered shaft projecting loosely through the bore and riveted over a spring washer at the lower end of the bore to secure the arm against separation from the base while still permitting pivotal movement of the arm relative to the base. The arm and the base are provided with camming detents adapted to interengage when the arm is pushed upwardly and forwardly relative to the base, and also have two pairs of side detent portions adapted to be selectively interengaged when the arm is turned about the longitudinal axis thereof relative to the base, as occurs during execution of a turn with the ski.

In a toe binding forming an alternate embodiment of the invention a base is provided with a boss portion on which an arm having a bore therethrough is loosely pivoted, and a headed rivet holds the arm on the boss portion for free horizontal pivotal movement of the arm and limited vertical pivotal movement of the arm, the arm and the base being provided with camming detents adapted to interengage when the arm extends directly rearwardly from the rivet and is urged forwardly and upwardly relative to the base.

A complete understanding of the invention may be obice tained from the following detailed description of ski bindings forming specific embodiments thereof, when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, top plan view of a ski having thereon a heel binding and a toe binding forming one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are enlarged, fragmentary, vertical sections taken along line 22 of FIG. 1 and showing the toe binding in two different conditions;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, top plan view of a base of the toe binding of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, bottom plan view of an arm of the toe binding of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, plan view of a spring washer of the toe binding of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, vertical, sectional view of a toe binding forming an alternate embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the toe binding of FIG. 7.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 a ski 10 having thereon a toe binding 11 against which a sole 12 of a ski boot 13 is urged by a cable 14 of a heel binding 15. The heel binding 15 is one of the type in which the tension of the heel binding cable 14 may be manually adjusted, one excellent ski binding for this purpose being that disclosed and claimed in my copending application, Serial No. 198,821, filed May 31, 1962, now Patent 3,147,986, issued September 8,1964, which will release the tension of the cable 14 when there is a maximum safe stress on the cable 14. The toe binding 11 includes an arm 21 which normally occupies a directly rearwardly extending position, as illustrated in full lines in FIG. 1, and when maximum safe lateral thrust is applied to the free end of the arm 21, will swing to one of the broken line positions of the arm 21 to release the ski boot. The arm 21 is pivoted on a base 22 fastened to the ski by screws 23, and is detented relative to the base in its normal or full line position as shown in FIG. 1 as is described in detail hereinbelow. The detenting power holding the arm 21 in its normal, rearwardly extending position is adjustable by adjusting the tension of the cable 14.

The arm 21 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 5) includes an elongated arm body 24 having at one end thereof a lip 25 for engaging the top of the front end of the sole 12 of the ski boot 13, together with a pair of sharp vertical ribs or ridges 26 which, when the arm 21 is in its normal, rearwardly extending position, are substantially equidistantly spaced from the centerline of the ski 10- on opposite sides of the centerline of the ski. The rear end of the arm has an arcuate recess 27 defining with the sides of the arms the rather sharp ridges 26. The ridges 26 are adapted to engage the end of the sole 12 of the ski boot 13. The arm also includes a tapered or frustoconical post or shaft 31 integral with the arm body 24. The shaft 31 has a reduced portion 32 near the lower end thereof on which is mounted a spring washer 33 which is secured to the shaft by a rivet portion 34 of the shaft.

The arm body 24 has at the forward end thereof a skirt 35 loosely surrounding a boss 36 of the base 22, and extends laterally beyond the shaft 31 to form, in effect, a head on the shaft. The shaft 31 projects loosely through a slightly tapered bore 41 formed in the boss 36 to mount the arm 21 for unlimited horizontal pivotal movement of the arm 21 relative to the base 22, and also to permit limited vertical pivotal movement of the arm 21 relative to the base 22. Directly ahead of the shaft 31, when the arm is in its normal, rearwardly extending position, the arm body 24 is provided with a rounded detent pin or projection 42, and the spring washer 33 urges the arm 21 downwardly relative to the base 22 to urge the detent pin the arm body 24 is horizontal.

the arm counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 2.

3 into a camming detent socket or recess 44 formed in the top of the boss 36. The washer 33 and rivet portion 34 of the shaft 31 are positioned in a counterbore 45 formed in the base 22. Rounded detent'pins or projections 51 and 52 similar to the detent pin 42 are spaced around the shaft 31 about 45 from the detent pin 42, andare positioned somewhat at the sides of the shaft 31. The detent pins 51 and 52 are adapted to fully enter camming sockets 54 and 55, respectively, when the arm 21 is twisted generally about the longitudinal axis thereof, as occurs when the ski boot 13 tends to twist during execution of a turn with the ski, or similar maneuvers, so that the arm 21 is held more strongly against release during such maneuvers, as is desirable.

Normally the spring washer 33 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 6), which has a belled or cup-shaped body portion 61 and spring arms 62 having formed, rounded projections 63, urges the arm 21 to the position thereof shown in FIG. 3, in which the arm abuts against the top of the boss 36 and However, when the ski boot 13 is mounted on the ski and is secured thereto by the ski bindingsll and 15 with the sole 12 engaging the ridges 26 and lip 25, the forward pressure of the ski boot sole 12 on the arm 21 pivots the arm 21 counterclockwise fromthe position thereof shown in FIG. 3 to that shown in FIG. 2. The ridges 26 face somewhat downwardly relative to the ski 10 so that, combined with the natural slight upward curl of the toe end of the sole 12 of the ski boot 13, pressing forward of the boot sole urges This tendency of the boot sole to lift the rear end of the arm 21 is augmented by engagement of the top of the toe end .of the boot sole with the lip 25. The ridges 26 preferably are disposed at an angle of from about 10 to about 20 relative to the longitudinal axis of the post 31. In the position of the arm body 24 in FIG. 2, the righthand side of the washer 33 abuts against the end of the counterbore 45 to limit the pivotal movement and also the upward movement of the post 31. The detent pin 42 projects into the detent groove 44,and the tighter the cable 14 is, the greater is the locking force of the detent pin 42 and socket 44. If, in executing a turn, the sole 12 of the ski boot tends to twist about its longitudinal axis, the corresponding one of the detent pins 51 and 52 will bottom in the corresponding detent socket 54 or 55. The arm 21 and base 22 are each integral units formed preferably by die casting out of a suitable known metal, one excellent material being that known as Zamac.

Thus, the toe binding 11 includes only three different parts, the

. arm 21, the base 22 and the washer 33, and, While very effective from the safety and boot-holding standpoints, the binding is extremely simple in the construction and manufacture thereof and is very rugged and durable.

When the maximum safe lateral force is applied to the arm 21, the detent pin 42, 51 or 52 (FIG. which is operative at that time is cammed out of the corresponding socket 44, 54 or 55 (FIG. 4) which forces the lip 25 (FIG. 2) downwardly somewhat against the sole 12 and the arm 21 swings until one of the ridges 26 is overcenter relative to the centerline of the ski. Then the arm 21 swings freely onwardly to release the ski boot.

In FIGS. 7 and 8 there is shown a toe binding 71 forming an alternate embodiment of the invention and which may be used interchangeably with the toe binding 11. The toe binding 71 includes a base 72 having a generally vertical, tapered bore 73 and a counterbore 74 therein in a boss 75 having a generally frustoconical shape exteriorly. An arm 76 has an arm body 70 having a lip 77 and ridges 78, which face somewhat downwardly. The arm body also has a bore 79 therein and a frustoconical, forwardly positioned skirt portion 89 fitting loosely over the frustoconical boss 75, inner frustoconical surface 90 of the skirt portion 89 being larger than but generally complementary to adjacent frustoconical surface 91 of the boss 75. The arm also has detent pins or projections 80 adapted to enter 4 camming detent sockets or recesses 81, 86 and 87 formed in the boss 75 of the base 72. A headed rivet 82 is urged downwardly by a spring washer 83 in the counterbore 74. The washer 83 is held on the rivet 82 by a riveted end portion 84, and the rivet 82 has a tapered shank 85 fitting loosely in the bore 73. The spring washer 83 urges the headed rivet 82 downwardly, and the head of the rivet engages the arm 76 and urges the arm 76 downwardly on the boss 75. The washer 83 limits upward movement of the rivet 82 relative to the boss.

Normally, with no ski boot engaging the arm 76, the

.head of the rivet 82 seats squarely on the upper end of the boss with the detent pins partly entering the sockets 81, 86 and 87, the latter being tapered and of a larger diameter than that of the detent pins to facilitate entrance of the pins into the sockets. The rivet 82 may be moved upwardly as permitted by the spring washer 83 sufficiently to permit the arm 76 to pivot freely horizontally relative to the base 72. When a sole 91 of a ski boot 92 is positioned under the lip 77 and against the ridges 78, and is urged forwardly along the ski, the arm 76 is pivoted counterclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 7, to move the detent pin 80 into the camming groove or recess 81. The arm 76 also has rounded detent pins (not shown) spaced 45 on each side of the pin 80 and adapted to almost fully enter detent sockets 86 and 87 in the boss 75 when they arm 76 .is in its normal operating position. These detent pins bracketing the pin 80 give added holding power when the arm 76 is twisted about its longitudinal axis. When the maximum safe lateral thrust is applied to the ski boot, the arm 76 pivots horizontally and the pins 80 and sockets 81, 86 and 87 press the arm 76 clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 7, until the pins clear the sockets, and then the arm swings on horizontally to the releasing position.

Each of the above described toe bindings 11 and 71 is very rugged and durable, is very effective to hold a ski boot with as much or as little holding force as is selected by the setting of the heel binding, and is extremely simple and inexpensive in construction and assembly.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are simply illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Numerous other arrangements may be readily devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. In a toe-holding clamp for a ski,

arm means extending generally horizontally and having an overhanging lip member at one end thereof and also having a pair of horizontally spaced, generally vertically extending ridges at said one end thereof, pivot means mounting on the ski a portion of the arm means spaced from said one end thereof for generally horizontal pivotal movement of the arm means relative to the ski and also permitting limited vertical movement of the arm means relative to the ski,

and detent means normally holding the arm means against horizontal pivotal movement relative to the ski and releasing the arm means for such horizontal pivotal'movement only when said one end of the arm means is moved vertically downwardly a predetermined distance from one extreme vertical position thereof permitted by the pivot means.

2. In a toe-holding clamp for a ski,

arm means extending generally horizontally and having an overhanging lip member at one end thereof and also having a pair of horizontally spaced, generally vertically extending ridges at said one end thereof, pivot means mounting on the ski a portion of the arm means spaced from said one end thereof for generally horizontal pivotal movement of the arm means rela- 'tive to the ski and also permitting limited vertical movement of the arm means relative to the ski,

and detent means normally holding the arm means against horizontal pivotal movement relative to the ski and releasing the arm means for such horizontal pivotal movement only when said one end of the arm means is moved downwardly a predetermined distance from the extreme upward position there-of permitted by the pivot means.

3. In a toe-holding clamp for a ski,

arm means extending generally horizontally and having an overhanging lip member at one end thereof and also having a pair of horizontally spaced, generally vertically extending ridges at said one end thereof,

pivot means mounting the other end of the arm means on the ski for generally horizontal pivotal movement of the arm means relative to the ski and also permitting limited vertical movement of the arm means relative to the ski,

and detent means normally holding the arm means against horizontal pivotal movement relative to the ski and releasing the arm means for such horizontal pivotal movement only when said one end of the arm means is moved downwardly a predetermined distance from the extreme upward position thereof permitted by the pivot means.

4. In a toe-holding clamp for a ski,

arm means having a jaw portion at one end thereof provided with an overhanging lip and a pair of spaced ridges,

the arm means also having a first pivot portion spaced along the arm means from the jaw portion,

and a base having a second pivot portion loosely interfitting with the first pivot portion to permit free horizontal pivotal movement of the arm means relative to the base and to permit limited vertical pivotal movement of the arm means relative to the base,

the arm means and the base being provided with camming detent portions so positioned as to interengage when the arm means is in a position extending directly rearward from the base and is at the extreme of pivotal movement in which the jaw portion is raised to its extreme upper position,

the camming portions serving to pivot the arm means vertically to move the jaw portion downwardly from the extreme upper position thereof when the arm means is pivoted horizontally from the position extending directly rearwardly.

5. In a toe-holding clamp for a ski,

arm means having a jaw portion at one end thereof provided with an overhanging lip and a pair of spaced ridges,

the arm means also having a first pivot portion spaced along the arm means from the jaw portion,

a base having a second pivot portion loosely interfitting with the first pivot portion to permit free horizontal pivotal movement of the arm means relative to the base and to permit limited vertical pivotal movement of the arm means relative to the base,

the arm means and the base being provided with camming detent portions so positioned as to interengage when the arm means is in a position extending directly rearwardly from the base and is at the extreme of pivotal movement in which the jaw portion is raised to its extreme upper position,

the camming portions serving to pivot the arm means vertically to move the jaw portion downwardly from the extreme upper position thereof when the arm means is pivoted horizontally from the position extending directly rearwardly,

and means urging the arm means downwardly relative to the base.

6. In a toe-holding clamp for a ski,

a base adapted to be fixed to a ski and having a generally vertically extending pivot portion,

and arm means having a shaft portion so engaging the first pivot portion as to permit a free end of the arm means to pivot substantially freely horizontally relative to the ski and also slidably engaging the pivot portion to permit limited vertical movement between two extreme positions of the free end of the arm means relative to the ski,

the base and the arm means also being provided with detent portions for holding the arm means against horizontal pivotal movement relative to the ski when the arm is in a normal position extending directly rearwardly along the ski from the first pivot portion and at one of the two extreme positions of vertical movement of the free end of the arm means and releasing the arm for horizontal pivotal movement of the arm relative to the ski when a maximum safe force is applied laterally to the free end of the arm means.

7. In a ski binding structure including a heel binding having a cable for engaging the heel of a skiboot on a ski and urging the ski boot forwardly along the ski boot and means for adjusting the tension of the cable, an improved toe binding comprising a base fixed to the ski in a position ahead of the ski boot,

an arm having at one end thereof a jaw provided with a lip engaging the top of the toe end of the sole of the ski boot when in a normal position extending directly rearwardly from the base and a pair of laterally vertical ridges extending downwardly from the lip and engaging the toe end of the sole at points thereon positioned on opposite sides of the centerline of the arm,

means mounting the arm pivotally on the base for horizontal pivotal movement on a vertical axis substantially on the centerline of the arm and spaced along the arm from said one end thereof and for limited vertical pivotal movement of the arm relative to the base between two extremes,

and a pair of camming detents on the arm and the base so positioned as to be urged into interlocking engagement by thrust on the arm from the sole of the ski boot forcing the arm to one of said two extremes to hold the arm against horizontal pivotal movement,

the pair of camming detents serving to force the arm from said one of said two extremes to permit horizontal movement of the arm relative to the base.

8. In a toe-holding clamp for a ski,

a base adapted to be fixed to a ski and having a generally vertical extending first pivot portion integral therewith, t t

and a one-piece arm having a second pivot portion so engaging the first pivot portion as to permit a free end thereof to pivot substantially freely horizontally relative to the ski and also permitting limited vertical movement between two extreme positions of the free end of the arm relative to the ski,

the base and the arm also being provided with detent portions for holding the arm against horizontal pivotal movement relative to the ski when the arm is in a normal position extending directly rearwardly along the ski from the first pivot portion and at one of the two extreme positions of vertical movement of the free end of the arm and releasing the arm for horizontal pivotal movement of the arm relative to the ski when a predetermined force is applied laterally to the free end of the arm.

9. In a toe-holding clamp for a ski,

a base having a vertical bore of a predetermined size extending therethrough,

the base having at the top thereof a detent recess positioned at the front of the bore,

and an arm having a jaw portion at one end provided with a pair of spaced, generally vertical ridges and an overhanging lip,

the arm having a shaft projecting downwardly through the bore and riveted at the lower end thereof at a r' 7 point therealong spaced below the lower end of the bore,

the shaft being of such a size relative to that of the bore as to permit limited vertical pivotal movement of the arm relative to the base,

the arm also having a downwardly extending detent pin having a rounded end positioned so as to enter the detent recess at the front of the bore when the arm is in a position extending directly backwardly along the ski and the jaw portion is at the uppermost position thereof relative to the ski.

10. In a toe-holding clamp for a ski,

a base having a vertical bore of a predetermined size therethrough,

the base having at the top thereof a detent recess positioned at the front-of the bore,

an arm having a jaw portion at one end provided with a pair of spaced, generally vertical ridges and an overhanging lip,

the arm having a cylindrical shaft projecting downwardly through the bore and riveted at the lower end thereof at a point therealong spaced below the lower end of the bore,

the shaft being of such a size relative to that of the bore as to permit limited vertical pivotal movement of the arm relative to the base,

the arm also having a. downwardly extending detent pin having a rounded end positioned so as to enter the detent recess at the front of the bore when the arm is in a position extending directly backwardly along the ski and the jaw portion is at the uppermost position thereof relative to the ski,

and a generally cup-shaped, spring washer on the shaft under the riveted end thereof engaging the base and urging the shaft and arm downwardly relative to the base.

11. In a toe-holding clamp for a ski,

a base having a vertical, tapered bore therethrough larger at the top end than at the bottom end,

the base having at the top thereof a detent recess positioned at the front of the base,

an arm having a jaw portion at one end provided with a pair of spaced, generally vertical ridges and [an overhanging lip,

the arm having a tapered shaft projecting downwardly through the bore and riveted at the lower end thereof at a point therealong spaced below the lower end of the bore,

the shaft and bore being of such relative sizes as to permit limited vertical pivotal movement of the arm relative to the base,

the arm also having a downwardly extending detent pin having a rounded end positioned so as to enter the detent recess at the front of the bore when the arm, is in a position extending directly backwardly along the ski and the jaw portion is at the uppermost position thereof relative to the ski,

and a generally cup-shaped spring washer on the shaft under the riveted end thereof engaging the base and urging the shaft and arm downwardly relative to the base.

12. In a toe-holding clamp for a ski,

a base,

an arm having a jaw portion provided with an overhanging lip and a pair of spaced, generally vertically extending ridges,

mounting means mounting the arm on the base for free horizontal pivotal movement relative to the base and for limited universal vertical pivotal movement relative to the base,

a first pair of complementary camrning detent means positioned to interlock only when the arm is in a first position extending directly rearwardly from the base and the jaw portion is raised to the uppermost position permitted by the mounting means,

a second pair of complementary camrning detent means positioned to interlock only when the arm is in a second position extending directly rearwardly from the base and is turned in one direction relative to the first position thereof,

and a third pair of complementary, camming detent means positioned to interlock only when the arm is in a third position extending directly rearwardly from the base and is turned in the other direction relative to the first position thereof.

13. In a toe-:holding clamp for a ski,

a base having at the top thereof a plurality of detent recesses positioned at the front and sides thereof, and an arm having a jaw portion at one end provided with a pair of spaced, generally vertical ridges and an overhanging lip,

the arm and the base having portions permitting free horizontal pivotal movement of the arm relative to the base and limited vertical pivotal movement of the arm relative to the base,

the arm also having a first downwardly extending detent pin having arounded end positioned so as toenter the detent recess at the front of the base when the arm is in a position extending directly backwardly along the ski and the jaw portion is at the uppermost position thereof relative to the ski,

the arm also having second and third downwardly extending detent pins provided with rounded ends each adapted to enter one of the detent recesses at the side of the bore when the arm is turned about the longitudinal axis thereof.

14. In a toe-holding clamp for a ski,

a base having a plate portion adapted to be fastened to the upper surface of a ski and also provided with a boss portion projecting upwardly from the plate p01- tion,

the boss portion having an axial bore therethrough and having a countersunk portion at the bottom of the bore,

the boss portion also having a camming detent recess positioned on the extreme forward portion of the lower portion thereof,

an arm having a jaw portion at a first end thereof including an overhanging lip and a pair of spaced, generally parallel ridges extending at right angles to the lip,

the arm having at the other end thereof a generally transverse bore of such a size as to fit loosely over the boss portion,

the arm being provided with a detent rojection adapted to enter the detent recess when the arm is in a position extending rearwardly from the boss portion,

and a rivet projecting through the bore in the boss portion and having a head retaining the arm on the boss portion permitting limited vertical pivotal movement of the arm relative to the boss portion.

15. In a toe-holding clamp for a ski,

a base having a plate portion adapted to be fastened to the upper surface of a ski and also provided with a generally frustoconical boss portion projecting upwardly from the plate portion,

the boss portion having an axial bore therethrough and having a countersunk portion at the bottom of the bore,

the boss portion also having a camming detent recess positioned on the extreme forward portion of the lower portion thereof,

an arm having a jaw portion at a first end thereof including an overhanging lip and a pair of spaced, generally parallel ridges extending at right angles to the lip,

the arm having at the other end thereof a generally frustoconical, transverse bore of such a size as to fit loosely over the frustoconical boss portion,

the arm being provided with a detent rojection adapted to enter the detent recess when the arm is in a position extending rearwardly from the boss portion,

and a rivet projecting through the bore in the boss portion and having a head retaining the arm on the boss portion and permitting limited vertical pivotal movement of the arm relative to the boss portion.

16. In a toe-holding clamp for a ski,

a base having a plate portion adapted to be fastened to the upper surface of a ski and also provided with a generally frustoconical boss portion projecting up- Wardly from the plate portion,

the boss portion having an axial bore therethrough and having a countersunk portion at the bottom of the bore,

the boss portion also having a first camming detent recess positioned on the extreme forward portion of the lower portion thereof, a second camming detent recess positioned on one side portion of the lower portion of the boss portion about 65 from the first recess and a third camming detent recess positioned on the other side portion of the lower portion of the boss portion about 65 from the firs-t recess,

an arm having a jaw ortion at a first end thereof including an overhanging lip and a pair of spaced, generally parallel ridges extending at right angles to the lip,

the arm having at the other end thereof a generally frustoconical transverse bore of such a size as to fit loosely over the frustoconical boss portion,

the arm being provided with a first detent projection adapted to enter the first detent recess when the arm is in a position extending rearwardly from the boss portion, a second detent projection adapted to enter the second detent recess when the arm is in said position and a third detent projection adapted to enter the third detent recess when the arm is in said position,

and a rivet projecting through the bore in the boss ortion and having a head retaining the arm on the boss portion for limited vertical pivotal movement of the arm relative to the boss portion.

17. In a toe-holding clamp for a ski,

arm means having a jaw portion at one end thereof provided with an overhanging lip and a pair of spaced ridges,

the arm means also having a first pivot portion spaced along the arm means from the jaw portion,

a base having a second pivot portion loosely interfitting with the first pivot portion to ermit free horizontal pivotal movement of the arm means relative to the base and to permit limited vertical movement of the 08.111'1 means relative to the base,

and camming detent means connected to the arm means and the base in such positions as to interengage when the arm means is in a position extending directlly rearwardly from the base and is at the extreme of pivotal movement in which the jaw portion is raised to its extreme upper position,

the camming means serving to pivot the arm means vertically to move the jaw portion downwardly from the extreme upper position thereof when the arm means is pivoted horizontally from the position extending directly rearwardly.

18. In a toe binding for a ski,

arm means having :an arm portion, a downwardly depending shaft at one end of the arm portion, the arm portion having at the other end thereof a lip and a pair of spaced vertical ridges,

a base having a shaft-receiving vertical bore and a counterbore at the bottom of the bore,

an enlarged retainer member fixed at the bottom end of the shaft positioned in the counterbore to limit upward movement of the shaft relative to the base, and permitting limited upward movement of the shaft and retainer member relative to the base,

and normally interlocking, releasable detent portions connected to the arm means and base and requiring downward movement of the lip of the arm means relative to the base for release.

19. The toe binding of claim 18 wherein the arm portion and the shaft are integral.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,383,064 8/45 Lanz 28011.35 2,513,926 7/50 Erwin 28011.35 2,675,244 4/54 Blanchard 280-4135 2,718,403 9/55 Pratt 28011.35 2,846,232 8/58 Schnell 28011.35

FOREIGN PATENTS 208,276 3/60 Austria.

1,217,631 12/59 France.

A. HARRY LEVY, Primary Examiner. 

3. IN A TOE-HOLDING CLAMP FOR A SKI, ARMS MEANS EXTENDING GENERALLY HORIZONTALLY AND HAVING AN OVERHANGING LIP MEMBER AT ONE END THEREOF AND ALSO HAVING A PAIR OF HORIZONTALLY SPACED, GENERALLY VERTICALLY EXTENDING RIDGES AT SAID ONE END THEREOF, PIVOT MEANS MOUNTING THE OTHER END OF THE ARM MEANS ON THE SKI FOR GENERALLY HORIZONTAL PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF THE ARM MEANS RELATIVE TO THE SKI AND ALSO PERMITTING LIMITED VERTICAL MOVEMENT OF THE ARM MEANS RELATIVE TO THE SKI, AND DETENT MEANS NORMALLY HOLDING THE ARM MEANS AGAINST HORIZONTAL PIVOTAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO THE SKI AND RELEASING THE ARM MEANS FOR SUCH HORIZONTAL PIVOTAL MOVEMENT ONLY WHEN SAID ONE END OF THE ARM MEANS IS MOVED DOWNWARDLY A PREDETERMINED DISTANCE FROM THE EXTREME UPWARD POSITION THEREOF PERMITTED BY THE PIVOT MEANS. 